Know Before You Go

Fr. Brian Walker, OP unpacks the celebration of Palm Sunday, pointing out that we need a whole week, Holy Week, to unpack the meanings contained in the Lord's death, and his welcoming us into his salvific work even now.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP unpacks the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, pulling out several quotes on resurrection, speaking of it as communal, personal, and universal. Though we cannot say precisely what the resurrection will be like, we are challenged to understand that there is more to life than this life we are living now, something beyond our imagining. God does not abandon us at death.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP reminds us that there is no darkness in God, even though they called Jesus evil for healing a man born blind on the sabbath. In the same way, the Apostle Paul reminds us that once we are baptized, we are children of light, and the darkness can no longer overshadow us.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP provides background information about the Gospel Reading for the Third Sunday of Lent, the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, explaining the relationship between the Samaritans and the Jews and the sorts of encounters that happen between men and women around wells in the Bible.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, including the Transfiguration, pointing out the many ways God speaks to us and wondering if we will listen and experience the fullness of the Resurrection come Easter.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP, breaks open the readings for the First Sunday of Lent about the temptations of Jesus, asks us to consider if God is at the center of our life, or have we fallen victim to the Father of Lies?

Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, wrestling with the huge task of trying to "be holy, as God is holy." One way we do this is by opening ourselves to others, recognizing that the holiness that resides in us resides in them as well, since we are all made in the image of God.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, including a long Gospel passage on the teachings of Jesus, which could sound like a lot of do's and don'ts, but are really an invitation to live out our faith more fully in a variety of ways.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP, citing the prophet Isaiah, asks us to look at our life and see if we are truly motivated by core principles of our faith such as caring for the poor and the homeless, and feeding the hungry.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, unpacking the Beatitudes, challenging us to become "poor in spirit" so that we trust more in God.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, offering background information about Gideon and the Battle of Midian, the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali, and on the beginnings of Jesus' ministry.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, challenging us to see more deeply the many layers of meaning in scripture, and how we constantly need to struggle to reinterpret our faith through Christ. As examples of the struggle to understand, he asks how it is that Israel is to be a light to all the nations (from Isaiah); how it is that Christ is light to all the nations (from John), and how it is that John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, claims that he does not know Jesus (from Mark)?

Fr. Brian Walker, OP celebrates the Epiphany, when Christ was made known to all the nations. Let us extend that peace to all, no matter their origin, color, political party, or any other difference that might divide us.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP celebrates this Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God by challenging each of us to bring a message of blessing to others this Christmas season and into the new year.

For Christmas, Fr. Don Goergen, OP speaks of the three-fold coming of Christ—in Bethlehem, at the end of time, and in our heart every day.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP recalls St. Joseph's dream, and muses that sometimes, in order to follow God's plan for ourselves, we have to let go of our own plans.

by Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP
On Gaudete Sunday, we remember the promise that the lame will run and the blind will see, knowing that this promise was fulfilled in Jesus, but also cautioned to wait for it to come in its fulness, as a farmer waits for his crops to grow.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP reminds us that Advent is a time to prepare for God's coming by getting our priorities right in the here and now.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP calls us to WAKE UP to the injustice in our world, to be a light of peace in our world, especially this month shining a light on the horror unfolding in Myanmar.

Recalling the promise to the good thief crucified next to Jesus, Fr. James Marchionda, OP challenges us to take to heart the words of Jesus, "This day, you will be with me in paradise."

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP reminds us to not get carried away by the troubling signs in our world, but to stay faithful to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Don Goergen, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, speaking about how for Christians, death is a transition, not an end, from this life to eternal life.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminding us that God cannot a resist a heart that is honestly seeking him.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, speaking about plunging into the abyss of God's mercy.